The life of our younger Prep children has been incredibly varied this week, as they have embraced the wonderful world of Magor Marsh to experience pond-dipping and all its creatures, as well as the Wetlands to explore the natural environment. With a lovely dose of sunshine, the children have thoroughly embraced their hands-on opportunities, and learnt a great deal about nature too!

With a sense of sadness mixed with a large dose of competitiveness, Year 5 and 6 Mixed Hockey teams, Rouge and Mont (A/B) played their final tournament. 10 games were played with only 1 loss, which is a fantastic close to the season. Mrs Williams has concluded:

“Fantastic pupils to work with = a Fantastic Year of Hockey.

Well done to everyone who has played this Year.”

In complete contrast, Year 5 took a step back in time, as they visited Sevington Victorian School. This is a wonderful resource, set in the heart of the Wiltshire countryside it is a perfect period piece. The school offers a unique learning experience because, as we like to say, 'history comes to life'.

In complete comparison, Year 5 took a step back in time, as they visited Sevington Victorian School. This is a wonderful resource, set in the heart of the Wiltshire countryside it is a perfect period piece. The school offers a unique learning experience because, as we like to say, 'history comes to life'.

Sevington School was built by Joseph Neeld. He had inherited a vast fortune and he used it to buy Grittleton House and the land around it. It was originally opened in 1849 and Miss Squire became the teacher eleven years later, aged just twenty. She taught there until 1913, for over fifty years. The school room was built to hold twenty-five pupils, but by the time she retired there were only three pupils on roll. When the school closed, everything was left untouched. Today we can still see how the schoolroom looked in Miss Squire's time along with her desk, pointer and blackboard. On the wall there is a picture of Joseph Neeld, the original benefactor who built this remarkable school. It is lovely to think of him still surveying his work!

The Literacy topic for the Upper Infants this half-term is a book entitled ‘The Lonely Tree’ by Nicholas Haliday. It is an enchanting narrative text, based on the growth of an evergreen tree which befriends an old oak tree which we read to the children beneath some oak trees growing in our grounds. We were impressed with the depth of knowledge that some children had on the topic of trees. They particularly enjoyed measuring how many children it would take to go around the trunk of some of the oak trees which are growing in our School grounds and imagining what the trees would say to each other if they could talk.

Following on from their visit to the greenhouse before the half-term holidays, the children in Year 2 paid a return visit to see how the crops which they had planted had grown. They also thought of different ways in which the greenhouse/allotment could be improved. Some of these suggestions will be taken forward and implemented during the coming weeks. They also thought of how the playground could be improved.

Last week some of the Year 2 children had their first experience using a calculator in order to manipulate numbers. They were also introduced to column addition and subtraction which they really enjoyed….completed in their Numeracy exercise books without the assistance of a calculator!

In ICT, the children began to create their own MS PowerPoint presentation about Trees, which also involved the insertion of images and saving their work. This they will be continuing with during the final few weeks of term.

Before School is a time when the children are preparing themselves for the day by the completion of a variety of fun activities in the classroom. In the photograph, the two boys are practising their telling of the time using Stile boards. These allow the children to self-check their work by the correct creation of a pattern when the board is turned over.

We were introduced to the world of Pound Fit this week; using Ripstix^®, lightly weighted drumsticks engineered specifically for exercising, POUND® transforms drumming into an incredibly effective way of working out. Instead of listening to music, you become the music in this exhilarating full-body workout that combines cardio, conditioning, and strength training with yoga and pilates-inspired movements.

Designed for all fitness levels, POUND® provides the perfect atmosphere for letting loose, getting energized, toning up and rockin’ out! The workout is easily modifiable and the alternative vibe and welcoming philosophy appeals to men and women of all ages and abilities.

Finally, we welcomed several local schools to visit us this week, joined by the coaches from Newport County FC. Not only did all children enjoy some football opportunities, they also played a mix of cricket, basketball and many other drills and skills.

Plans are really taking shape for Activity Week and a letter will be sent out to you today, detailing the full itinerary.

I end once again, on a parent note, with a huge thank-you to Mrs Nicolls. Mrs Nicolls has kindly offered to sort through our PTA Second hand Uniform, and below is a list of items that she has found:

Grey shorts in the following sizes, £1 per pair:

5-6 years - 1 pair

7-8 years - 10 pairs

8-9 years - 1 pair

9-10 years - 1 pair

10-11 years - 1 pair

There are also summer dresses available, £2 per dress:

6-7 years - 1

7-8 years - 1

9-10 years - 3

10-11 years - 2

12-13 years - 2

There are House Polo Shirts in various sizes - useful for the upcoming sports day.

If anyone would like any uniform, particularly these summer items please email Mrs Nicolls directly evenicolls@gmail.com.

In complete contrast, Year 5 took a step back in time, as they visited Sevington Victorian School. This is a wonderful resource, set in the heart of the Wiltshire countryside it is a perfect period piece. The school offers a unique learning experience because, as we like to say, 'history comes to life'.

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